Business Apprentice Review

Within EY I work in the indirect tax service line as a level 1 business apprentice. My daily tasks would normally include meetings with clients to discuss the impact of Brexit on their supply chains and also their indirect tax obligations. Researching and drafting emails/advice for senior members to review before going out to clients. Working on large tax transformation projects with large clients.

I am in the process of completing my Level 7 chartered accountant qualifications with the ICAEW, this external training is provided for free by EY and they allow you set time to attend college and to take the exams. EY also hold lots of internal training courses which focus on developing your soft skills such as leadership.

I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, EY has a fantastic work culture and you work with lots of like minded people everyday. The team I joined were really friendly but also pushed me to improve and learn new skills which was really valuable. It has by far exceeded by expectations.

The programme is extremely well organised. From day 1 where we had a fantastic induction course to the monthly catch-ups I have with my designated Apprenticeship coach I have now, the programme has provided me with the support system that is pivotal for apprentices. EY have ensured that the training providers are of the best quality as well.

As mentioned above, there is as much support as you need from EY. Each apprentice is given a buddy, an apprenticeship coach and a counsellor. This means you always have someone to talk to on a personal, career and mentor level which is what all apprentices need to succeed at such a large and successful business.

The support from First Intuition has been excellent. The standard of the tutors for each of my courses has been really good - they have always been willing to go the extra mile. Especially with COVID, the team have dealt extremely well with the courses having to be run via ZOOM and have maintained the high quality.

The things you learn via your qualification can be useful in your day to day role, but this is really dependent on what team you are working in. For example, the tax paper will only be helpful for those working in tax compared to those who are working in audit. The overall qualification definitely helps you feel more comfortable in your role as a whole.

There a wide range of activities to get involved in at EY (although these have taken a hit as a result of COVID). These include EY football teams, Running clubs, support groups and lots more. EY often run celebration evenings with drinks and pizza which are a great way to socialise with colleagues.

Yes

The main reason would be EY's excellent people culture. People from all walks of life and backgrounds would feel comfortable working at EY because everyone is so friendly and great to work with. The apprentice programmes themselves are top draw and definitely one the best in the business with excellent qualifications being provided.

The main piece of advice I can give is just to be yourself and really show off your strengths and skills to your interviewer. Something to make you stand out like research the EY office you are applying for, find out some interesting facts about EY - show EY that you want to work for them and its not another job interview/application process.